ILLINOIS — Illinois could see accumulating snow and potential travel disruptions early next week as a new winter storm moves across the Midwest and into the Northeast, forecasters said Thursday.
Arctic air will set the stage for the system, which is expected to develop after a round of lighter snow moves through the region late this week, according to the National Weather Service.
According to AccuWeather, a narrow band of snow is forecast to begin in parts of the Midwest Friday, Feb. 27, and continue into Saturday night as a surge of Arctic air pushes southeast from Canada. Chicago could see around an inch of snow from Friday night into Saturday.
The larger storm is expected to take shape early next week. With cold air already in place, warmer, moisture-laden air moving in could produce widespread snow, sleet and freezing rain across portions of the Great Lakes region, including Illinois.
The National Weather Service said the system is not expected to be a “blockbuster storm,” but plowable snow and some ice appear likely in parts of the Midwest. Exact snowfall and ice totals will depend on the storm’s track and strength, which remain uncertain.
Travel disruptions are possible from Monday, March 2, through Wednesday, March 4. Major transportation hubs, including Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway airports, could be affected if the storm intensifies or shifts track.
Forecasters also noted that areas receiving rain instead of snow could face localized urban flooding, while a farther north track could increase the risk of ice-related issues.
Officials are urging residents to monitor updated forecasts in the coming days as the storm’s path becomes clearer.
